"For it can be said of men in general that they are ungrateful, fickle, feigners and dissemblers, shirkers of dangers, eager for gain."

"It is a common fault of men not to reckon on storms in fair weather."

"If a prince wants to keep his state, he must learn how to be not good, and to use or not use this according to the necessity."

"The people, when they have a good leader, are not afraid to fight; and if they are not afraid, they are strong."

"The Roman state was ruined by the ambition of the people as much as by the ambition of the nobility."